The ANC has handed MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus a 48-hour notice of suspension for, among others, his “personal attack” on Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte.
The notice is contained in a leaked letter to Niehaus from ANC General Manager Febe Potgieter-Gqubule dated 19 January, 2021. It is linked to his position as an employee in Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s office.
‘Unbecoming’ public statements
Potgieter-Gqubule wrote, “You have been advised, on more than one occasion, that your public statements and social media posts are unbecoming of someone working in this high office, which has the primary responsibility of driving and coordinating the work of all structures of the ANC. You also received a written warning to this effect on October 12, 2019.
“The latest statement, titled ‘Personal statement by Carl Niehaus about his ongoing recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia’, dated January 14, 2021, crosses all boundaries expected from an ANC employee, and particularly someone of your seniority.
“In particular, the personal attack on the ANC Deputy Secretary-General in this statement is a serious violation of the ANC Personnel Policy Manual.
“ANC staff members are expected to abide by the discipline of the organisation, and personal attacks by a member of staff on elected leadership – without even attempting to address the matter internally – is unprofessional, is not tolerated and is in violation of the manual.
“You are therefore requested to show cause within 48 hours of receipt of this letter (which is transmitted to you electronically) why you should not be suspended on full pay, pending the institution of disciplinary action against you for misconduct.”
Duarte ‘attacked me’
In the statement that got him in trouble, Niehaus complained that he had been “deliberately targeted by a well-coordinated, aggressive propaganda smear campaign against me” by some sections of the media as he recovered from COVID-19.
He added, “I am saddened that even the Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC, comrade Jessie Duarte, saw it fit to attack me and undermine my long history as a 42-year veteran of the ANC in good standing, as well as my elected position as an NEC member of MKMVA, and MKMVA national spokesperson.
“This she did knowing that when she was doing so, I was gravely ill. It was unnecessary and callous. I am deeply saddened by it.”
Potgieter-Gqubule pointed out in her letter that it was “rather unfortunate” that the ANC first heard about Niehaus’ illness via his media statement.
Niehaus, who is a staunch Magashule, former President Jacob Zuma and “radical economic transformation” supporter, has declined to comment on the letter.
For months, he has shared social media posts perceived to be critical of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, sparking criticism from ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Fikile Mbalula.
“I don’t know what Niehaus is doing at Luthuli House. Is he a march organiser? Is he employed to speak on our behalf? He attacks Ramaphosa every day. He insults the ANC President every day,” he said in October last year.